Identification and taxonomy, classification and phylogeny

Abstract

The subclass Acari — the mites — contains about 45 000 species that have been formally named and described. This is a small percentage of the total global diversity of mites, estimated to be between 540 000 and 1 132 000 species (Walter and Proctor, 1999), making it the most diverse group of arthropods after the insects. The science dealing with the study of mites is called Acarology. To make sense of the enormous diversity of living organisms a system of description and ordering is required.